The North Country Maturing Gardener lives, gardens and ages gracefully (we can only hope!) in Northern New Hampshire. She was certified as a Master Gardener in Connecticut and now, New Hampshire. Aging however, brings limitations...hence the internet vs. the digging! :-) So, come visit and have the North Country Maturing Gardener (NCMG) answer your gardening questions on line!

Friday, October 19, 2007

BUT, YOU JUST SAID TO WATER!

I know I've been talking about seeing to it that your plants are well watered before they go into a long winter's stress. Then I say, "Don't water"! Well, there's a method to this madness.If you spray, the water doesn't get a chance to soak into the ground...but you use a lot of water (like Seattle). However, you can lay the hose so the water spills directly onto the ground, right at the stem of your shrub, or in the middle of the clump of your perennial plant. At this point turn the water on so it just TRICKLES into the ground. This way it will be absorbed right down to the roots without running off the top of the soil. The smaller the trickle, the better the effect. Let it run for quite awhile. Maybe half to three quarters of an hour. If it runs longer, no harm done. Every drop of water will go directly to the roots of the plant rather than just staying on the top of the soil where it does NO good. So, that's my watering lecture! Remember do NOT use a sprinkler for this! We're not talking about a lawn, we're talking about shrubs, trees, and perennials. At this point, don't bother watering annuals, unless they are in a pot.

About Me

I hope gardeners will visit to get gardening information and ideas. I post monthly chores as well as give an idea of what's happening in my garden as the year evolves. It is geared toward Northern New England gardens. I hope you'll visit often!